
Deming has two animal control officers – Xandra Darrow and Ernie Jasso – who comprise a division of the Deming Police Department tasked with enforcing city codes pertaining to animal control.
For example, a city ordinance allows a household to have only four pets. That’s four dogs or four cats, or a combination of both.
And federal law mandates that animals have rabies vaccinations each year.
As for daily calls, the officers said they vary. Some pet owners ask for their animals to be picked up because they can no longer care for them. They are called when animals are running at large. And they make arrangements to take injured animals to a local clinic for treatment.
Deming Police Chief Brandon Gigante said Darrow and Jasso, who have both been on the job for several years now, have completed two certification trainings to become licensed in New Mexico.
Darrow added that they are available to give presentations to classes and organizations on laws and ordinances pertaining to animals. She said they also can discuss problems with pet-overpopulation, spay and neuter programs and the dangers of cock fighting.